Power-operated, multi-die punch

ABSTRACT

To punch paper and other sheet material a short distance inward of one margin with a plurality of small-diameter holes, a motordriven punch machine is provided. Paper is deposited on a platen and squared with an adjustable side edge guide and is also squared with retractable pins a short distance forward of the back of the punch throat. The pins, when retracted, permit the paper to be inserted a greater distance in the punch so that the holes are a greater distance from said one margin than when the pins are projected. The motor, which turns through one cycle of the punch, rotates a crank which oscillates a lever attached to a splined main shaft. Each punch die is formed on the lower end of a generally cylindrical member formed with rack teeth meshing with the splines of the main shaft. When the lever oscillates, it oscillates the main shaft, depressing the punch dies across a throat in which the paper to be punched is inserted.

United States Patent [191 Groswith, III et al.

[1 11 3,826,168 [451 July 30, 1974 POWER-OPERATED, MULTl-DIE PUNCH Charles T. Groswith, 11], Los Altos; Danilo P. Buan, Pleasanton, both of Calif.

Assignee: Velo-Bind, lnc., Sunnyvale, Calif.

Filed: June 14, 1973 Appl. No.: 370,048

Inventors:

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1966 Stewart 83/268 X 8/l966 Brook 83/629 X 11/1973 Ruwe 83/563 X im y it m erzwilliefi- Absr r mb Attorney, Agent, or Firm.lulian Caplan I 0 LL" 1 4:

[57] ABSTRACT To punch paper and other sheet material a short distance inward of one margin with a plurality of smalldiameter holes, a motor-driven punch machine is provided. Paper is deposited on a platen and squared with an adjustable side edge guide and is also squared with retractable pins a short distance forward of the back of the punch throat. The pins, when retracted, permit the paper to be inserted a greater distance in the punch so that the holes are a greater distance from said one margin than when the pins are projected. The motor, which turns through one cycle of the punch, rotates a crank which oscillates a lever attached to a splined main shaft. Each punch die is formed on the lower end of a generally cylindrical member formed with rack teeth meshing with the splines of the main shaft. When the lever oscillates, it oscillates the main shaft, depressing the punch dies across a throat in which the paper to be punched is inserted.

a s 7 wm i ur s 1' r POWER-OPERATED, MULTl-DIE PUNCH This invention relates to a new and useful poweroperated, multi-die punch. More specifically, the invention relates to a motor driven punch which simultaneously punches a plurality of holes of small diameter closely adjacent to the margin of paper. One preferred use for the paper punched in accordance with the present invention is in the production of books in accordance with US. Pat. No. 3,596,929. It will be understood that the punch has versatility in other environments.

One of the features of the invention is the fact that the mechanism hereinafter described in detail may be contained within a casing which resembles standard office equipment of other types such as electric typewriters and hence blends into the decor of a modern office, whereas prior punches are of such structure that the casing shape is not compatible with other office equipment.

Another feature of the invention is the fact that the punch mechanism is safe and the fingers of the operator are not in danger. Further, the structure is such that the likelihood of error in punching the holes in the wrong location is reduced. The punch is easily operated and little skill is required by the operator.

Still another feature of the invention is the fact that the punch accommodates papers of different widths.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of readily adjustable manual means for positioning holes at different distances from the edge of the paper being punched.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings in which similar characters of reference represent corresponding parts in each of the several views.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the present invention with the portion of the casing facing the viewer removed.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view partially broken away in section to conserve space and to reveal internal construction.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 with parts removed so as to emphasize the structure which performs the punching operation.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view through the punching mechanism.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged bottom plan view of the side guide locking mechanism.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view similar to FIG. 3 with parts removed to emphasize the means whereby the rear edge locating pins are projected and retracted.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view in enlarged scale viewed substantially along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

Casing 21 for the punch resembles generally the shape of an electric typewriter. Disposed horizontally and extending from front to adjacent the punch elements of the machine is a platen 22. The rear of the platen is closed off by back panel 23. To either side of the platen 22 are raised sides 24 of the casing. Interiorly of the casing 21 is a horizontal base plate 26 to which are attached vertical sides 27. Disposed between sides 27 above the level of platen 22 is a transverse block 28 in which the major punch elements are housed. At the forward face of block 28 is a throat 29 having a vertical height equal to the maximum thickness of sheets 33 which may be punched. The forward end of throat 29 is preferably tapered so as to facilitate insertion of the sheets 33. As has been mentioned, one of the features of the present invention is the provision of means whereby holes may be punched in sheets 33 at different distances from the rear margin thereof. For such purpose, vertically reciprocating pins 31 are positioned in block 28. In projected (upward) position, the pins 31 limit rearward movement of sheets 33 in throat 29. In retracted position of pins 31, the sheets 33 may be inserted to the full depth of the throat 29. Hence the position of the holes in the sheets 33 is dependent upon the position of pins 31.

To project and retract pins 31 there is provided a finger-grip 36 which projects up through a suitable aperture in the right-hand side of raised side panel 24. .Grip 36 is attached to an irregularly shaped lever 37 which reciprocatesforwardly and rearwardly of the machine adjacent the outer side of side plate 27. Lever 37 is formed with a horizontal slot 38 through which extends a pin 39 fixed to the right-hand side plate 27 and thus the movement of lever 37 is limited. At a suitable location on lever 37, there is a knob 41 which protrudes outwardly. Adjacent knob 41 is a helical spring 42 fixed to side plate 37 and rubbing against knob 41. Hence the function of spring 42 is to hold the lever 37 in one of its two positions of adjustment which are shown respec tively in solid lines and in dotted lines in FIG. 6.

At the rear of lever 37 is a bell crank 43 pivoted by means of pivot 44 to side 27 and articuately connected to the rearward end of lever 37. Bell crank 43 carries a pin bracket 46 extending transversely of the machine to which are attached each of the pins 31 which are preferably three in number.

When finger grip 36 is in solid line position in FIG. 6, pins 31 are raised to block the rear of throat 29. When the grip 36 is moved to dotted line position, the lever 37 is also moved rearwardly causing crank 43 to pivot in a counter-clockwise direction and pulling pins 31, which slide in apertures in block 28, downwardly so that the throat 29 is not blocked and the paper 33 may be pushed to the extreme rearward end of throat 29.

The side edges of the sheets 33 are preferably aligned against side edge guide 51 which projects up through a slot 52 in platen 22. It will be understood that the guide 51 accommodates different widths of sheets. To secure guide 51 in a position of adjustment, the guide 51 is fixed to a horizontally disposed irregularly shaped slide 53 which is formed with an elongated slot 54 and receives an enlarged head pin 56 fastened to an extensionof left-hand side plate 27. Disposed projecting above the left side panel 24 is a knob 57 which carries a washer 58 on its lower end and overlaps the edge of lever 53. By turning knob 57, which is threaded into nut 59 mounted on panel 24, the washer 58 is raised and lowered and will clamp or unclamp the overlapped edge of slide 53. When the knob 57 is loosened, the operator may manually move guide 51 to the right or left as viewed in FIG. 2. When the knob 57 is tightened, the guide 51 is held in position.

With the sheets 33 at proper depth in the throat 29 and aligned with the side guide 51, the operator is then ready to perform the punching operation. Motor 61 is controlled by switch 62 mounted on the right-hand side panel 24. Attached to the shaft 60 of motor 61 is a crank 63 which oscillates crank 64 on the end of shaft 62 by means of slot 66 in lever 64 and pin 67 fixed to crank 63. A micro-switch 68 is secured to one of the side panels 27 and has a switch arm 69 which is engaged by pin 71 on crank 63. As the motor shaft 60 revolves, the pin 71 controls micro-switch 68 so that only one revolution of shaft 60 occurs for each actuation of switch 62.

Shaft 72 is splined and preferably has six segmental splined teeth 73. Punch elements 76 each have rack teeth 77 meshing with teeth 73 and reciprocate vertically in bores 78 in block 28. Each punch element 76 has a reduced diameter lower portion 79 which is preferably concave on its lower end which cooperates with the hole 81 in block 28 immediately below the reduced diameter portion 79 to punch the holes in sheets 33. Thus for each actuation of switch 62 shaft 72 oscillates and causes vertical downward reciprocation of punch element 76 causing the reduced diameter portion 79 to punch the holes by shearing action relative to the holes 81.

There is preferably a scrap chute 86 below block 28 which directs the scrap into a centrally disposed removable scrap tray 87.

What is claimed is:

l. A punch comprising a casing having a platen positioned and dimensioned to support sheets to be punched, a transversely extending block disposed at the end of said platen and formed with a throat having a first surface in alignment with said platen, a second surface parallel to and spaced from said first surface, and a third surface perpendicular to said first and second surfaces and spaced inwardly relative to said platen whereby a limited thickness of sheets on said platen may be pushed into said throat to be stopped by said third surface, said block formed with a plurality of transversely spaced holes extending downward from said first surface and disposed forwardly of said third surface, a plurality of bores in said block, each said bore in alignment with one of said holes and opening into said second surface, a punch element in each said bore formed adjacent said second surface with a reduced diameter die to cooperate with one of said holes to punch said sheets and also formed with rack teeth along one side of said element, a transverse shaft in said block formed with a segment of pinion teeth meshing with said rack teeth of each .of said rack elements whereby oscillation of said shaft causes reciprocation of said punch elements between retracted and projected positions, each said reduced diameter die in retracted position being within said second surface and in projected position extending across said throat and partially into said hole, a lever on an end of said shaft, a motor, lever-actuating means articulately connecting said motor and said lever to oscillate said lever, and electrical means controlling said motor to limit turning of said motor for a single oscillation of said lever.

2. A punch according to claim 1 in which said lever is formed with an elongated slot and in which said lever-actuating means comprises a crank turned by said motor and a pin on said crank fitting into said slot.

3. A punch according to claim 1 which further comprises a plurality of locating pins reciprocable in said block having projected positions extending through said throat forward of said third surface and retracted positions withdrawn from said throat whereby, in projected positions of said pins, sheets may be inserted in said throat a lesser distance than when said pins are retracted and said punch punches holes a lesser distance from the margin of said sheets, and manual actuating means for moving said pins between projected and retracted positions.

4. A punch according to claim 3 in which said manual actuating means comprises a lever reciprocable transverse to said pins, a finger grip attached to said lever and extending exteriorly of said casing for moving said lever, guide means for restricting movement of said lever to a straight line, a bell crank having two arms, one said arm pinned to said lever, a transverse bar fixed to the other said arm, and means attaching each said pin to said bar.

5. A punch according to claim 4 which further comprises a detent on said manual actuating means and a spring engaging said detent and holding said manual actuating against unintentional movement.

6. A punch according to claim 1 which further comprises a side edge guide extending up through said platen, said platen slotted for transverse movement of said guide, a lever fixed to said guide and transversely reciprocable in said casing, a knob, a nut in threaded engagement with said knob, and a washer on said knob, said lever positioned with one of its edges between said nut and said washer whereby on turning said knob said lever is gripped to restrain movement of said guide. 

1. A punch comprising a casing having a platen positioned and dimensioned to support sheets to be punched, a transversely extending block disposed at the end of said platen and formed with a throat having a first surface in alignment with said platen, a second surface parallel to and spaced from said first surface, and a third surface perpendicular to said first and second surfaces and spaced inwardly relative to said platen whereby a limited thickness of sheets on said platen may be pushed into said throat to be stopped by said third surface, said block formed with a plurality of transversely spaced holes extending downward from said first surface and disposed forwardly of said third surface, a plurality of bores in said block, each said bore in alignment with one of said holes and opening into said second surface, a punch element in each said bore formed adjacent said second surface with a reduced diameter die to cooperate with one of said holes to punch said sheets and also formed with rack teeth along one side of said element, a transverse shaft in said block formed with a segment of pinion teeth meshing with said rack teeth of each of said rack elements whereby oscillation of said shaft causes reciprocation of said punch elements between retracted and projected positions, each said reduced diameter die in retracted position being within said second surface and in projected position extending across said throat and partially into said hole, a lever on an end of said shaft, a motor, lever-actuating means articulately connecting said motor and said lever to oscillate said lever, and electrical means controlling said motor to limit turning of said motor for a single oscillation of said lever.
 2. A punch according to claim 1 in which said lever is formed with an elongated slot and in which said lever-actuating means comprises a crank turned by said motor and a pin on said crank fitting into said slot.
 3. A punch according to claim 1 which further comprises a plurality of locating pins reciprocable in said block having projected positions extending through said throat forward of said third surface and retracted positions withdrawn from said throat whereby, in projected positions of said pins, sheets may be inserted in said throat a lesser distance than when said pins are retracted and said punch punches holes a lesser distance from the margin of said sheets, and manual actuating means for moving said pins between projected and retracted positions.
 4. A punch according to claim 3 in which said manual actuating means comprises a lever reciprOcable transverse to said pins, a finger grip attached to said lever and extending exteriorly of said casing for moving said lever, guide means for restricting movement of said lever to a straight line, a bell crank having two arms, one said arm pinned to said lever, a transverse bar fixed to the other said arm, and means attaching each said pin to said bar.
 5. A punch according to claim 4 which further comprises a detent on said manual actuating means and a spring engaging said detent and holding said manual actuating against unintentional movement.
 6. A punch according to claim 1 which further comprises a side edge guide extending up through said platen, said platen slotted for transverse movement of said guide, a lever fixed to said guide and transversely reciprocable in said casing, a knob, a nut in threaded engagement with said knob, and a washer on said knob, said lever positioned with one of its edges between said nut and said washer whereby on turning said knob said lever is gripped to restrain movement of said guide. 